Page 2 of Only in Our Dream
“Oh, like you knew who she was. I can’t believe I didn’t know this. I don’t remember Dylan ever mentioning her parents, honestly. Granted,” she shrugged, “Iwaspregnant for most of the time that Dylan and I have worked together, so it might not have clicked.”
“Pregnancy brain really got to Emily.” Sophia’s playful jabs at Emily made Melanie realize how perfect they were for each other. They loved each other so much, and that love radiated from everything they said and did.
As they ordered their drinks, Melanie wondered if she and Cameron were the same way. The two had been friends for decades before finally admitting their feelings for each other. Melanie loved Cameron and their kids with every fiber of her being.
And when her eyes caught Cameron’s across the room as she entered the bar, Melanie felt her heart flutter. Cameron was wearing a black, form-fitting dress with a V-neck that left little to Melanie’s imagination. Not that she had to imagine what Cameron’s chest looked like. Her lips had been all over her breasts just the night before. But there was something about seeing Cameron in her post-board meeting attire that made Melanie want to skip drinks and take her home.
Across the table, she caught Emily’s eye. She smiled and winked at her, and Melanie knew the love was evident between her and Cameron, too.
“Sorry, I’m late.” Cameron slid into the booth beside Melanie and quickly kissed her. She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder and sighed. “Board meetings never stick to a schedule.”
“It’s okay, babe.” Under the table, Melanie put her hand on Cameron’s thigh. “The only time Cameron has ever been on time was at our wedding.”
“Ha ha, very funny.” Cameron sarcastically rolled her eyes. “I am sorry I’m late though. I’ve been looking forward to tonight for days.”
“Me, too,” Melanie smiled. “And I’m glad you can finally officially meet Emily and Sophia Beauchamp.”
“It’s so great to meet you both.” Cameron shook both of their hands, her smile wide the whole time. “Mel has talked so much about you. And I think what you did for Callie and Arden is so amazing.”
“Thank you.” Emily blushed, looking down as Sophia put her arm around her shoulder. “It was hard, but worth it.”
“And you lookamazingfor just having a baby a month ago.” Cameron turned slightly in her seat to face Melanie. “Doesn’t she look great?”
“She does.”
“She most definitely does.” Sophia gently tucked Emily’s hair behind her ear as they looked into each other’s eyes. Melanie’s heart melted at the sight, remembering how they had been the same way while Emily was in labor.
“Thank you.” Emily’s blush subsided as she took a sip of her water. “And I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been working with your daughter for a year and didn’t realize youwere her mom.”
“And proud of it.” Cameron beamed with pride anytime she talked about her kids. “Dylan has loved working at Straight to Ale. I hope she and Ellie aren’t too bad to work with.”
“They’ve honestly been amazing over the last few months while I was on maternity leave. They helped me out so much by stepping up. I’m very proud of them.”
“Me, too,” Cameron’s chest puffed out slightly, making Melanie stifle a laugh.
After the server brought their drinks and a basket of cheese fries, they fell into casual conversations about life and family. Emily and Sophia told them how they met and how Sophia’s daughter had come into their lives. Melanie checked in with her about postpartum life, which Emily seemed to be handling well. Picking up a fry, Emily leaned onto the table and pointed it back and forth between Melanie and Cameron.
“So, how did you two meet?”
As Emily popped the fry into her mouth, Melanie and Cameron looked at each other and laughed.
“That’s such a long story.”
“Hey,” Emily’s voice was stern, but still teasing. “You told me after I pushed a seven-pound baby out that you would tell me.”
“Are you going to use that excuse forever?”
“Yes,” Sophia snorted a laugh, “she will.”
“Oh, come on, babe.” Cameron bumped her shoulder into Melanie’s. “Tell them. It’s my favorite story.”
“Yes, and only mildly Hallmark-esque.”
“Filled with divorce and years of pining.”
Emily scooted closer to Sophia, who put an arm around her. “I’m hooked.”
“Where do we start?”
